When I went out to capture the image, last week, I had a different look in mind. This evolved as I worked on it.
9 exposure HDR
focused at 3 different points (a total of 27 shots)
ISO 1000, f/8, 60mm macro lens
Photomatix -- tone detailing with the same settings for each group of three
Photoshop Photomerge didn't work on this, so I had to mask manually to get the in-focus parts from each layer.
Nik Color Efex -- Pro Contrast
Alien Skin Snap Art -- Color Pencil; One of the sliders controls the amount of coverage, so I was able to leave some uncovered spots that look like fine snowflakes.
Selective Color adjustment layer
Snap Art -- Stylize line art to get fine dark detail lines; Then, duplicated layer and blurred it to broaden and lighten the lines for shadows to add depth.
Color Fill layer (light gray) in Color blend mode
Klassen texture in Linear Burn blend mode with substantial masking
Level, Curves, and Exposure adjustment layers
strain gradient vignette -- dark brown


